Christiane Paul: "It can not be without a fight"
About the movie "Whether you like it or not"
"Now it's over!" Thinks Laura, who is terminally ill with cancer (Katharina Schubert), breaks off her chemotherapy and takes her quarters with her parents to die in peace in her old nursery. Her mother (Senta Berger) can not handle this and calls Laura's three sisters Susa (Christiane Paul), Coco (Anna Böger) and Toni (Julia Maria Köhler) to help them to persuade them to a wide treatment. But Laura remains stubborn. But she still wants to use the remaining time to bring her family closer together again. A warm-hearted, true film that actually manages to gain easy access to the serious issues of death and euthanasia by celebrating life as long as it lasts.
Interview with Christiane Paul
ChroniquesDuVasteMonde.com: Four Sisters Needed To Find Director Ben Verbong For "Whether You Want Or Not." Was it clear at the casting which actress would play which sister?
Christiane Paul: Yes, the director and the producer already had very clear ideas.
ChroniquesDuVasteMonde.com: And you also could best identify with the role of Susa?
Christiane Paul: No, not at the beginning. I was also reluctant to accept the role at all or not. But the script was so good that I finally said yes.
ChroniquesDuVasteMonde.com: Why did you have problems with Susa in the beginning?
Christiane Paul: Because she is not a sympathizer. Not that I'm always a sympathizer, but she's a difficult person - very aloof, very cool, someone with hair on the teeth, who likes to put his finger in the wound and be very hurtful. Ultimately, it has proved to be a great challenge and great fun to play even the "evil", albeit one that is undergoing a transformation. In one scene, Susa reveals herself and her feelings very much.
After "Whether you like it or not" I filmed with Ulrich Tukur, Marie Bäumer and Bruno Ganz "The Big Cat". I also play a person who tries to intrigue and influence the other side, not just the protagonist, but the antagonist. I do not know if that has anything to do with me (laughs), but it's definitely exciting. A great role model for such roles is Glenn Close. She is simply gorgeous as evil.
ChroniquesDuVasteMonde.com: In the scene you mentioned, you get the impression that Susa is least of all coping with the sister's imminent death.
Christiane Paul: You can not do that score, I think. It's hard for anyone in the family to cope with the situation - only one person in the film has more opportunity to show it, and the other less.
ChroniquesDuVasteMonde.com: Susa's motto is: "You can not give up". Can you identify with it?
Christiane Paul: Actually, but with Susa it's an escape. She tries to avoid a confrontation with the actual situation. This is different for me, I already face the situation. Of course, I would always try to make everything possible, but Susa does not want to be confronted with the death of her sister or with the fact that she has not cared for her and the family for years. On the other hand, Susa already has a spark of hope that you can help her sister. Medicine is ready today, and Susa, who works in the banking industry and knows that everything is feasible if you can afford it, of course tries everything - whatever the cost.
ChroniquesDuVasteMonde.com: You have a sister yourself. Could you draw on your wealth of experience for the film?
Christiane Paul: Not quite, the age difference is too big for us. My sister is 12 years older than me. Of course we already have common memories of childhood and our family life. But the constellation in the film is then another. There we are like the organ pipes, four sisters, all grown up together.
ChroniquesDuVasteMonde.com: And as soon as they get home they fall back into their old roles.
Christiane Paul: Yes, I know that from us too. That's okay. For the parents you just stay for a lifetime the child.
ChroniquesDuVasteMonde.com: The family in the film has diverged, but comes close in this particular situation. How do you manage not to move so far apart?
Christiane Paul: That's difficult. And not every family has such a good foundation like this one in the movie. If the basis is missing, you have to break away and find your family elsewhere, in the circle of friends, for example. Serenity, love and tolerance are definitely important - in every respect.It also crashes from time to time at our home. It does not work without argument and conflict. Otherwise that would not be honest dealings with each other. But if you have a good foundation, you will find you together again.
ChroniquesDuVasteMonde.com: And you have this good foundation?
Christiane Paul: Yes, but I'm already wondering if I can be there for my family as it is for me. I'm very busy right now. I travel a lot because of my job, but I want to be there for my parents when they really need me. They do not ask for that, but I think that's just part of it.
ChroniquesDuVasteMonde.com: The film is also about euthanasia. How do you feel about this? You were also a doctor.
Christiane Paul: That does not have much to do with that. I was a doctor for only one and a half years. Concerning the topic of euthanasia there is still much need for discussion in Germany. Everyone should have the right to decide for themselves when they want to go. And if he decides to leave, it can not be that he has to travel abroad. We need new legislation. That there is potential for abuse can not be ruled out. But you have to face that. We have a changed society, a modern society with people who live longer, but who may end up suffering longer. Affected individuals must have the opportunity to respond if they wish. The living will is a start.
The trailer for the movie "Whether you like it or not"
